World-class facilities make Dubai best bet for Expo

01/10/2013

Dubai's strategic location as a tourism and trade hub, world-class infrastructure and political and social stability make it the best candidate to host the World Expo 2020, says a new executive opinion poll.

Asked which was the best choice among the four remaining contenders, a whopping 57 per cent of 1,000 executives from world-leading business centre Alliance Business Centres Network (ABCN) in 28 countries around Europe, America, Asia and Australia, voted in favour of Dubai.

Only 18 per cent regarded Russia's Yekaterinburg as the best choice while Sao Paulo in Brazil scored 14 per cent of total votes and Turkey's Izmir lagged behind with 11 per cent.

About 35 per cent of respondents said Dubai's openness and cultural diversity made it ideal to host the expo. Other reasons are Dubai's strategic location as a tourism and trade hub, world-class infrastructure as well as its political and social stability. Each of these factors scored close to 20 per cent each.

"The results of the survey are a clear indication of Dubai's unique position on the world map, thanks to its cultural and business openness and diversity,” said Sherif Kamel, president of ABCN for the Middle East and North Africa.

"These pillars are the guiding principles that propelled the emirate to its current position of economic strength and social stability, creating an array of investment and employment opportunities for people from the world over.”

Winning the project would bring immense economic and social benefits. There are prospects of multi-billion-dollar project launches.

The winner will be announced by the end of November. If successful, Dubai would become the first Middle Eastern city to host the mega exhibition.